Maritime attorneys work in Admiralty law, representing the interests of ocean-related commerce, including sailors, yacht brokers, and marine suppliers. Admiralty law has existed since ancient times, with legal maritime codes being written and used in European ports. Today, maritime law must consider liability issues related to pollution and damage to marine ecology. A maritime attorney must also be familiar with the unique boating laws governing water-related losses or accidents.
A maritime attorney works as part of a legal system known as Admiralty law, which deals with vehicles, people, businesses and commercial transactions that take place in territorial and international waters. In this capacity, maritime attorneys represent the interests of ocean-related commerce. This involves professions such as sailors, sailors, yacht brokers, marine suppliers and any other operator whose work takes place in the ocean. In addition, maritime or admiralty law applies to offshore oil rigs and/or rigs, as well as any incident that occurs on water. As such, a maritime attorney’s education should include knowledge of laws pertaining to collisions at sea, pleasure boating, and even salvage claims.
Admiralty law has existed since ancient times, when the first Egyptians and Greeks used the Mediterranean Sea, with a frequent trade route. During this period, special courts were established in Mediterranean port cities specifically to adjudicate maritime disputes. Over time, legal maritime codes were written and used in European ports.
In the 14th century, English Admiralty courts dealt with questions of piracy and naval discipline. Eventually, commercial issues were also handled by maritime lawyers. By the 1600s, maritime law had spread throughout the American colonies, and in 1789, the newly formed United States government granted the federal court system exclusive jurisdiction over admiralty law.
Today’s maritime attorneys practice a law that mixes the old with the new with a national and international scope. Traditional principles regarding the well-being of sailors remain today, because the risks facing them have not disappeared. The same cannot be said, however, for laws relating to naval architecture and cargo handling; the types of vessels used in sea travel have evolved over time, as have the types of cargo that are carried. In addition, maritime law had to consider liability issues related to pollution and damage to marine ecology as a result of some current maritime practices. As an example, current ocean vessels can carry natural gas, which can be dangerous if handled incorrectly.
International travel is still common, so a maritime attorney must work within established agreements between countries regarding shipping and customs. These agreements became the main foundation of modern maritime law. Additionally, a maritime attorney must be familiar with the unique boating laws governing water-related losses or losses, which can vary greatly from the laws applicable to land vehicles or accidents.
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